said Dory.
Alex lifted the bottle of champagne. ‘Yes. I came out here to get this and I saw this guy trying to hide behind a tree in the yard. I told him to get lost and leave us alone.’
‘I’m not supposed to talk to those people. I had enough of them when . . . you know . . . before.’ Dory turned to Seth. ‘Who are you?’
‘Dory, this is Seth Paige. He’s a . . . neighbor.’
‘I thought he was your boyfriend,’ said Dory.
‘No,’ said Alex, feeling herself blush. ‘I don’t . . . have a boyfriend.’
‘Whew, it’s freezing out here,’ Dory said. She shivered and grasped her own upper arms. ‘I’m going back inside.’
‘Good idea,’ said Seth, opening the back door. He turned to Alex. ‘Are you coming?’
‘In a minute,’ said Alex. ‘You go ahead.’ She clutched the bottle to her chest and looked out at the now empty yard, wondering if it was going to become commonplace to have journalists and curiosity seekers lurking there. She wasn’t used to being suspicious of people. She was raised in a home where the door was always open.
She glanced back into the house. She could see people drinking, eating and celebrating, as they often had in the days when her parents were alive. Doug and Cathy Woods were never reluctant to have a party. Their hospitality was casual and inclusive. Alex thought that they would probably be proud of her for what she was doing today. Making a celebration of Dory’s release. Giving her a place to stay, in spite of her misgivings. It had been a difficult decision but, in a way, she felt cornered. If the court was willing to free Dory, how could Alex refuse her sanctuary? She told herself that she had nothing to fear from Dory. They were virtual strangers, and this house was little more than a temporary haven, a place to land when Dory had nowhere else to go.
Suddenly Alex felt a wave of sorrow and anxiety break over her, so strong she felt as if it could knock her down. She missed the life she used to have in this house with people who loved her. She held onto the door frame for a moment, shivering, and gazed in at the cozy scene. She could see that Dory was talking to Seth, her gaze focused on his handsome, bespectacled face. Every so often she would reach up and absently touch his forearm with her hand, as if to reassure herself that she was free. As if to prove that she could touch anyone she wished, and no one could stop her.
Alex finished putting out the trash and came inside to put the last of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Dory, still wearing the olive dress, came into the kitchen and watched her load up the glasses.
‘That was nice of you. Thanks,’ said Dory.
‘Did you enjoy it?’
Dory shrugged. ‘Sure.’
‘Well, it’s not every day a person gets sprung from prison,’ Alex said.
‘No, that’s true,’ said Dory. She sat down on one of the kitchen chairs and tapped on the surface of the table.
‘So, you were talking to Seth.’
Dory looked up at her suspiciously. ‘And?’
‘Nothing,’ said Alex. ‘I just noticed you two talking.’
‘He’s very nice. And smart,’ said Dory.
‘He is. He’s an instructor at the University of Chicago. That’s a really good school.’
‘I didn’t go to college,’ said Dory ruefully. ‘I’m probably not smart enough for a guy like him. Although I did used to go out with a doctor.’
‘Hmmm . . .’ murmured Alex, thinking about Rick Howland. ‘Well, Seth will probably be going back out to Chicago any day now. He only came home to help his father out when he had surgery.’
‘Doesn’t mean I can’t get to know him,’ said Dory.
There was something in her tone which made Alex feel vaguely uneasy. ‘I didn’t mean that,’ she said. ‘Dory, would you mind helping me clean up?’
‘I thought I’d get one day off,’ Dory said.
‘Everybody has to help around here,’ Alex said lightly.
‘Everybody?’ Dory asked. ‘Who else is there?’
‘I meant both of us,’ said Alex.
‘Then say that,’ said Dory. She picked up a broom and began sweeping the kitchen. ‘I’ve been thinking about something,’ she said.
‘What’s that?’ Alex asked.
Dory carefully made a pile of crumbs with the broom. ‘I was thinking it might be a good idea if we got a dog. You said you always had pets,’ Dory reminded her.
Alex took a deep breath. ‘It’s true. I did. And I like